Design & DIY
Practical guidance for homeowners and self-builders planning a project. Which professional you actually need — drafter, designer or architect — and what each one produces. Free and low-cost CAD tools worth learning, what belongs in a construction document package, and the design decisions worth settling before anything is built. These articles are written for people managing their own project who want to arrive at a professional with clear requirements rather than a rough idea.
Top 5 Free CAD Tools for Beginners
Jan 10
Five free CAD tools for beginners, what each is good at, and when a project needs professional drawings instead. ...
Small Deck Design: What to Know Before You Build
Jan 9
How to plan a small deck: use, site measurements, permits, materials and a layout that fits the footprint. ...
How to Create a Digital Design Toolkit
Jan 7
The software, templates, standards and hardware that make up a working digital design toolkit, and how to keep it current. ...
Top 5 Design Tools for DIY Builders
Jan 7
Five planning tools for DIY builders, from a free floor plan app to 3D modeling, and when a measured drawing matters more than the software. ...




